West Ham United resoundingly beat an Arsenal side midweek in the Carabao Cup that had only tasted defeat prior to RC Lens this season in the Champions League, David Moyes' Hammers ruthless at the London Stadium as the Gunners lost 3-1.
Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus impressed again in this clash, Bowen helping himself to his seventh goal of the campaign already in all competitions whilst Kudus netted only his second goal to date in his new claret and blue colours.
gideon-kidoa-jarrod-bowen-west-ham-opinion
Not every player for the Irons covered themselves in glory from this fantastic night however, with Said Benrahma registering fewer touches than Hammers goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski (19 – 38) and, in tow, he unfortunately let the contest pass him by.
The ex-Brentford winger must be dropped, therefore, for West Ham's next match in the Premier League away at his former team, after the Algerian attacker played like a passenger in the EFL Cup, today.
Benrahma's performance vs Arsenal
Substituted off in the 81st minute for James Ward-Prowse, West Ham's number 22 was unable to provide any cutting edge down the right wing with the other attackers stepping up to the mark to spare Benrahma's blushes.
The 28-year-old forward failed to register a single effort on Aaron Ramsdale's net per Sofascore with the stand-in Gunners goalkeeper looking shaky all contest, ineffective with his 19 touches on the ball when he was found by a fellow Irons' shirt.
Fabianski in the West Ham goal would have double the touches of the underwhelming attacker with 38, his centre-back teammate Nayef Aguerd coming in with a far superior 59 touches also per Sofascore.
Accurate with 10 of his 11 passes on the night, Benrahma still could not quite muster up an assist with Moyes hauling him off the London Stadium pitch with nine minutes remaining.
He must be binned by Moyes completely when West Ham make the short journey across from Stratford to West London today to play Brentford, with Benrahma not at his best whatsoever in recent weeks.
Benrahma's numbers this season
Rooted to the bench against Aston Villa and Liverpool, the 21-time Algeria international has seen his minutes with the Irons slashed this season.
The winger was only afforded 33 minutes on the pitch in total versus Everton to make a lasting impact, unable to break down a resilient defence.
With Michail Antonio, Jarrod Bowen, and Lucas Paqueta all regularly picked ahead of him, Benrahma does run the risk of being completely frozen out by Moyes if he does not improve his output.
Said-Benrahma-in-action
Only picking up one assist this campaign on top of zero goals, West Ham's number 22 – who has made 146 appearances for the club – could be moved on sooner rather than later out of the building.
His individual performance against Manchester City sticks out as another below-par display, albeit he was only given 22 minutes to make an impact against Pep Guardiola's title-chasers.
The ex-Brentford man couldn't conjure up any magic to help his side when introduced, losing his only ground duel of the contest when subsituted on alongside being unsuccessful with his one dribble attempt per Sofascore to kickstart a rare Hammers foray forward.
Given a rare first-team start against Arsenal and underperforming in the process, Moyes' decision whether or not to include Benrahma for his side's next Premier League match will be an easy one.
The Algeria international must make the most of his next opportunity to shine on the pitch as another disappointing display could put further doubt in the manager's mind when considering whether or not to start him in the future.
Everton are "monitoring" a hugely exciting player ahead of a potential move to Goodison Park, according to a new update from journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Everton transfer news
The January transfer window is continuing to edge closer all the time, at which point Sean Dyche could have the opportunity to boost his squad options. Much of that may depend on the takeover situation at Goodison, however, with the saga continuing to rumble on, and a "mystery Indian group" now in the mix to buy Everton, following a new update over the weekend.
There is also a chance that Dyche could be content with the options he currently has at his disposal, and while that may be unlikely, their recent form in the Premier League has been promising, with four points picked up from an away clash with West Ham and a home meeting with Brighton.
Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips has been linked with a January move to Everton, however, as he looks to enjoy regular playing time ahead of Euro 2024 next summer, and someone of his ilk could be ideal for the Blues, giving them more quality and energy in the middle of the park.
Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips.
Now, a fresh update suggests that the Merseysiders could be eyeing a move for a big young prospect, perhaps focusing more on the long-term than the here and now.
Everton want Anton Matkovic
Taking to X on Sunday, renowned journalist Romano said that Everton are keeping a close eye on Anton Matkovic, with the 17-year-old a big young talent at NK Osijek:
"Interest growing in 17 year old Croatian talent Anton Matkovic. NK Osijek striker, attracting important clubs from Europe – understand Everton are monitoring him. Also RB Salzburg and Sassuolo are interested, no time for decision yet but one to watch for sure."
Matkovic is clearly not a household name yet, but the striker is making waves in his homeland for Osijek, being seen as arguably one of Croatia's brightest young talents at the moment.
In fact, Matkovic's stats are pretty limited at the moment due to a lack of first-team minutes, but he is a two-time capped Croatia Under-17 international, and while he is still awaiting his debut for Osijek, he has appeared for their Under-19s regularly from a very young age.
While Everton fans will no doubt want signings who are ready to come straight in and hit the ground running for Dyche's team, immediately improving their chances of avoiding relegation this season, it is always exciting to see a top teenage talent being linked with the Blues.
1. James Vaughan
16 years, 8 months and 27 days
2. Wayne Rooney
16 years, 8 months and 27 days
3. Michael Ball
16 years, 8 months and 27 days
4. Bert Llewellyn
17 years, 8 months and 17 days
5. Jack Rodwell
17 years, 6 months and 17 days
They have had some outstanding young attackers in the past, from Wayne Rooney to Francis Jeffers, and the hope would be that Matkovic comes in and is eventually added to that list.
The lure of the Premier League could give Everton and advantage in the race to sign the 17-year-old, and there can be no harm in taking a punt on him, should those in charge of transfers at Goodison see something special.
Manchester City are ready to battle it out to secure the services of an exciting player alongside their interest in Lucas Paqueta, according to a fresh report.
Lucas Paqueta interest
Over the summer, West Ham United’s Paqueta agreed personal terms to join the club, with the two parties even settling on an £80m fee, but the deal ended up breaking down because he became the subject of an investigation relating to betting breaches.
The Blues, however, are reportedly ready to consider a second approach during the upcoming window should the midfielder have his allegations against him dropped, but it’s not just the centre of the park that Pep Guardiola is looking to bolster next year.
Paris Saint-Germain’s left-winger Kylian Mbappe is set to reach the expiration of his deal at the end of the season (PSG contracts), and with his relationship with chiefs having broken down over links to Real Madrid, it’s expected that he will be on the move. The France international has clearly emerged as Luis Enrique’s overall best-performing player so far this season with a match rating of 7.83 (WhoScored – PSG statistics), and the 24-year-old’s outstanding form has grabbed the attention at the Etihad Stadium.
Man City keen on deal for Kylian Mbappe
According to TEAMtalk, Man City are considering a move for Mbappe, but they aren’t alone in their pursuit with four other clubs also looking to secure his services, three of those being in the Premier League.
“TEAMtalk can reveal Real Madrid could face competition from up to four Premier League sides for the signature of Kylian Mbappe, with Manchester City, Newcastle United, Chelsea and Liverpool all interested.
"Man City have the financial capability to offer an incredible deal that would make Mbappe the highest paid player in Premier League history and sources within the club claim a combination of Mbappe and Erling Haaland is tempting to the owners.”
Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe.
Mbappe is a "generational talent"
Since the start of his career, Mbappe has posted an unbelievable 373 contributions, 256 goals and 117 assists, in 339 appearances, which shows just how insanely prolific he can be in the final third, where he also has the versatility to operate everywhere across the frontline (Transfermarkt – Mbappe statistics).
Sponsored by Nike, the forward has also recorded a total of 42 shots over the course of the current campaign which is more than any of his fellow teammates (FBRef – PSG statistics), showing his incessant hunger to hit the back of the net.
The Parc des Princes’ £1.2m-per-week earner (PSG salaries), certainly knows what it takes to compete and be successful at the highest level too, having won the World Cup with France, alongside picking up several individual accolades like Player of the Year and top goalscorer just to name a few.
Mbappe’s outstanding winning mentality and what he can bring to the pitch with his various skills makes him a “generational talent”, according to football scout Jacek Kulig, so this really is a no-brainer of a deal to complete should the opportunity to get it over the line present itself.
After smashing Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 and holding Manchester City to a thrilling 4-4 draw, things finally looked on the verge of turning around for Chelsea under Mauricio Pochettino, but a poorly-timed international break and a disastrous 4-1 defeat against Newcastle United has quickly brought their momentum to a crashing halt.
They were the creators of their own downfall against the Magpies in a game that sent Pochettino reminders over just how much work his side still need if they are to reach the Premier League's top four. Yet, still, their transfer tactic seemingly remains the same, with one particular young gem now a target for the London club.
Chelsea transfer news
It's a rare day when Chelsea aren't in the headlines for their transfer activity and the summer window saw the Blues dominate the news, as Pochettino attempted to rebuild the squad at Stamford Bridge. The likes of Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic and Kai Havertz all left for rival clubs to make room for Nicolas Jackson, Moises Caicedo, Christopher Nkunku and many many more. So far, that transfer tactic has far from worked out with Chelsea struggling once again. Reports suggest that their focus very much remains on recruiting future stars, however.
Pochettino must bench Chelsea man who lost 33% of his duels vs Man City
Chelsea will be hoping to return to winning ways against Newcastle today
ByRoss Kilvington Nov 25, 2023
According to 90Min, Chelsea have made contact with Francesco Camarda's family over a potential move from AC Milan. The 15-year-old made the headlines when he became Serie A's youngest-ever player and AC Milan's youngest-ever player after coming on against Fiorentina. Breaking Paolo Maldini's Milan record, it's no shock that Chelsea are interested in the youngster, who will have the chance to leave the Italian giants until he signs his first professional contract when he turns 16 in March.
The Blues will unsurprisingly face competition for the forward's signature, with reports indicating that Manchester City, Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid all interested in the teenager, who has been promised a huge role at Milan in the future. Camarda is reportedly settled in Milan and likely to put pen to paper on a deal, but he is certainly not short on potential suitors outside of Italy.
Chelsea chasing "great" Camarda
AC Milan forward Francesco Camarda.
The fact that Francesco Camarda was handed his AC Milan debut at 15-years-old shows just how talented the stirker is. With so much of the season left to come, the Italian may yet receive even more opportunities to impress and edge closer and closer to what would be a historic first goal for the club.
Milan manager Stefano Pioli is certainly a fan of the youngster, saying via 90Min: "Talent has no age, and he has a lot of it. Destiny sometimes creates opportunities for you, we will need to be good at accompanying him in his growth because we are talking about a very young boy. From a character point of view Camarda is very mature, he is ready to give us a hand if needed, in these days he has done very well. I'm sure he'll have a great future."
Chelsea face a battle if they are to pursue Camarda's signature, but it may well be one going all out for in order to secure a player who could become crucial in the next decade or so.
The January transfer window is fast approaching and Celtic head coach Brendan Rodgers may look to dip into the market to improve his squad.
The Northern Irish manager was brought back for a second spell at Parkhead over the summer after Ange Postecoglou left to join Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur.
Majority shareholder Dermot Desmond and the rest of the board backed him throughout the summer as they allowed the former Leicester City boss to make nine new signings.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers.
Marco Tilio, Hyeok-kyu Kwon, Hyun-jun Yang, Odin Thiago Holm, Maik Nawrocki, Paulo Bernardo, Gustaf Lagerbielke, Luis Palma, and Nat Phillips were all brought in.
However, his work in the market did not translate to success on the European stage as Celtic have been eliminated from the Champions League after five matches.
They have one draw and four losses in the group so far and will finish bottom of the table and exit all European competitions after their final game.
This suggests that there is still plenty of work to do to build a squad that can achieve success on the continent as well as in domestic action, which could be why the Hoops are now reportedly eyeing up a big signing for their side.
Celtic transfer news – Bojan Miovski
The Scottish Sun have claimed that Rodgers and Celtic are weighing up a possible swoop to sign Bojan Miovski from Scottish Premiership rivals Aberdeen.
It is stated that the Scottish giants are considering a January deal for the Dons centre-forward as they look to improve their attacking options.
However, it will not be an easy deal for the Bhoys to complete as Aberdeen are set to demand an SPFL record fee for the North Macedonia international.
The current record fee for a transfer between two Scottish teams is the £4.4m that was paid by Celtic to sign central midfielder Scott Brown from Hibernian all the way back in 2007.
It is said that the Dons value Miovski at more than that £4.4m figure, which would make any transfer a record-breaking one in Scottish football, but the report does not mention exactly how much it would take for the Hoops to secure his services ahead of the second half of the season.
Aberdeen striker Bojan Miovski.
The Premiership side are accept that the 24-year-old marksman will eventually leave their club but they are reluctant to cash in on him in January, which may be why they are set to ask for a record fee from Celtic or any other interested parties.
It remains to be seen whether or not the Glasgow giants are willing to splash out such a fee on Miovski but they are considering a bid of some kind.
Rodgers has sent scouts to watch the forward in every domestic match so far this season and has, given this report, seen enough to suggest that he would be a fantastic signing for his side.
Celtic must now push ahead and work hard to secure a deal for the Aberdeen star in January as the impressive forward could form an exciting pairing with Kyogo Furuhashi, who would surely love to play alongside him.
Kyogo's season in numbers
The current Hoops star has endured a slightly disappointing, by his standards, start to the 2023/24 campaign in front of goal for Rodgers.
Kyogo has scored six goals in 16 Scottish Premiership appearances to go along with two goals in five Champions League matches, with 19 of those outings coming from the start.
Celtic forward Kyogo Furuhashi.
He has also missed eight 'big chances' in front of goal in that time, which shows that his teammates have created plenty of opportunities for him at the top end of the pitch.
This means that the Japan international has averaged a goal every 2.38 starts across the top-flight and European competition so far this season.
Last season, Kyogo plundered a sensational 27 goals in 31 Premiership starts and zero goals in five Champions League starts for the Hoops.
Celtic forward Kyogo Furuhashi.
He, therefore, averaged a strike every 1.33 starts across the two competitions, albeit they all came in domestic action, and that was a significantly better return than what the 28-year-old eight is currently managing.
These statistics show that the former Vissel Kobe marksman's form has almost fallen off a cliff this season in terms of his scoring rate, which is why signing another proven Premiership goalscorer could be a smart move by the club.
Bringing in Miovski would provide Rodgers with another excellent number nine option and it could take some of the pressure, mentally and from opposition defenders, away from Kyogo and free him up to return to his best, which is why the Japanese ace could love him.
The statistics that show why Miovski could be a good signing for Celtic
The 6 foot 2 Aberdeen star has been an impressive signing for the Scottish side since his move to the club at the start of the 2022/23 campaign.
He caught the eye with 18 goals and three assists in 42 appearances for Barry Robson's side in all competitions last season, which included 16 goals in 37 Premiership outings.
Appearances
37
Goals
16
Assists
Two
Big chances created
Six
Miovski has started the current term with a return of five goals in 14 top-flight starts along with six goals and two assists in eight starts across the domestic and European cup competitions.
The 24-year-old whiz has produced four goals and two assists in Europa League qualifiers and Europa League group stage matches combined, alongside two goals in three League Cup games.
This means that the North Macedonia international has scored one goal every two starts on average in all competitions for Aberdeen this season.
Miovski, who Robson hailed as a "brilliant boy" earlier this term, has proven himself to be an impressive scorer in Scottish football, and on the European scene, and that is why he could be an excellent signing for Celtic.
The left-footed finisher could play up alongside Kyogo and offer a physical presence, given his two aerial battles won per game in the league this season in comparison to the 5 foot 7 gem's 0.2, to make him a perfect foil for the Japan international.
Celtic could sign the Aberdeen star to provide defenders with a nuisance who can put himself about to cause them problems whilst also being able to provide a goal threat, which could take the pressure of the Hoops number eight and allow him to return to his best.
Kyogo could then play as a second striker, number ten, or out wide as a winger with the license to drift inside so that he can do his damage whilst leaving the dirty work in the number nine position to Miovski.
Arsenal are open to selling one of their fringe players in order to sign a replacement who is already in the Premier League, according to a fresh report that has emerged.
Arsenal outgoing transfers
The Gunners sanctioned the sales of 14 players during the previous window, with eight of those being on a permanent basis, while the remaining six were sent out on loan for the rest of the season in order to increase their experience and game time.
Edu and Mikel Arteta also have Jorginho, Mohamed Elneny and Cedric Soares who will have reached the expiration of their deals upon the conclusion of the current campaign, so they could additionally be heading for the exit door in January (Arsenal contracts).
Arsenal preparing to trigger £50m+ release clause for "excellent" player
This could be a big move.
ByTom Cunningham Dec 18, 2023
In the top-flight this season, Thomas Partey has made just three starts and one substitute appearance (WhoScored – Partey statistics), and while the defensive midfielder has been sidelined with both groin and hamstring injuries, he’s not currently happy.
Back in October, Ghana’s international was reported to be frustrated with his lack of game time and more specifically his inability to nail down a regular place in the starting line-up, though if the following update is to be believed, he won't have to put up with it for much longer.
Arteta happy to get rid of Partey
According to Football Insider, Arsenal are open to selling Partey next month in order to both raise the necessary funds and make room to sign Fulham's Joao Palhinha, who has emerged as a target.
"Arsenal are keen on a potential move for Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha in 2024, sources have told Football Insider. However, a well-placed source has told Football Insider that the Gunners are likely to have to move Thomas Partey on before a deal for the Portugal international becomes possible."
252
1,151
0
2
0
1
91.1%
83.9%
1.5
5.4
1
1.6
0.5
1.5
"Sensational" Palhinha an upgrade on "useless" Partey
While Partey hasn’t been given a fair chance to prove what he’s capable of this term, Arsenal will feel they are making completely the right decision to let him leave in January given the upgrade in defensive solidity with Palhinha, who former Fulham defender Stephen Kelly says is "sensational" and "amazing".
Arteta’s 30-year-old veteran also isn’t getting any younger either, and when he has been handed the opportunity to showcase his talents this term, he has failed to make any kind of positive impression that will increase the chances of him staying in the team.
Journalist Josh Bunting has previously criticised him, saying: “Thomas Partey is the most frustrating player, every game he will try that type of shot from range and blazes over the crossbar, it’s just so careless and wasteful, good breaking down the play but absolutely useless in the attacking phases of play.”
Furthermore, Partey pockets £200k-per-week which is more than the likes of Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal salaries), so Edu and Arteta need to get him off the books and use the extra cash to generate funds towards new signings in 2024, be it Palhinha or an alternative target.
Over the summer of 2023, Saudi Arabia became an emerging foe in the transfer market. Amid the Saudi government's relentless desire for sporting relevancy, football fans far and wide endured a frantic summer transfer window like no other.
The bulk of the Saudi Pro League's outlay was splurged by the four clubs taken over by the country's Public Investment Fund (PIF) in June, and the division proved it could attract more than mere has-beens as the league operated on a devil-may-care transfer policy to spend a staggering £728m – with only the Premier League (£2.1bn) splashing more over the summer months.
Premier League
£2.1bn
Saudi Pro League
£728m
Serie A
£682m
Bundesliga
£598m
Ligue 1
£594m
While it was Cristiano Ronaldo who first pioneered the rapid development of the country's football landscape when he moved to Al-Nassr at the turn of the year, the Middle Eastern country hasn't stopped there.
The riches involved are startling, and the nation hosting the World Cup in 2034 means the government will do all they can in the coming years to ensure the Pro League develops into a genuine force.
That means the spending is set to continue in the future, and Saudi clubs will almost certainly attempt to go big again in the 2024 January window. Unlike the fleeting prosperity of the Chinese Super League back in 2016 and 2017, it is expected that the Middle Eastern clubs will refuse to let up on their exorbitant financial feast.
Football FanCast takes a look at ten players who could follow in the footsteps of Jordan Henderson, Cristiano Ronaldo and Riyad Mahrez by making the switch from Premier League to the Saudi Pro League in January and beyond. Every entry ascends in both the likelihood and shock factor of each potential transfer.
10 Willian (Fulham) Linked with: Al-Shabab
Fulham forward Willian.
Of the Premier League players to remain in England amid Saudi interest, it was Fulham winger WIllian who came closest to leaving in search of a lucrative retirement plan.
It was reported in August that the Brazilian had communicated his desire to leave Craven Cottage, having 'agreed personal terms' with Al-Shabab. But it came as a surprise to the west London club as Willian had only just extended his stay at the club a few weeks before.
Now 35, the forward could seek pastures new again in January, though his recent upturn in form may give Fulham a big decision to make. It'll be interesting how this will impact his potential suitors' interest.
9 Thiago Silva (Chelsea) Linked with: Al-Nassr
Chelsea defender Thiago Silva.
At 39 years old, it is beyond impressive that Thiago Silva still puts together strong defensive displays in the pace of the Premier League. But since he will be entering his 40s next season, the Brazilian sentinel might be on the search for a new adventure, and after heavy interest from the Middle East, he could choose to swap the blue of Chelsea for the gold of Saudi Arabia.
With the role model and elite athlete reputation that Thiago Silva flaunts, his brand image and commercial value could be a perfect fit for the country's strides to become a leading power in world football. Much like Cristiano Ronaldo, the veteran is a criteria-ticking ambassador suited to promoting interest.
It was reported by Football.london that 'serious interest' came from several Saudi Pro League clubs over the summer, with Ronaldo's Al-Nassr thought to be leading the race for the centre-back's signature.
Silva's contract expires in June, so it is expected that he will leave Stamford Bridge by next summer at the latest. However, it is uncertain whether he will choose the opulence of the Middle East like former Blues teammates Hakim Ziyech, Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly, or if he will set his heart on a return to where it all started in Brazil.
8 Anthony Martial (Man Utd) Linked with: Al-Shabab & Al-Taawoun
Manchester United forward Anthony Martial.
Apparently, Anthony Martial rejected generous offers from the Middle East to push for a move to a prestigious European club during the summer. But since the Frenchman's wage demands are too high for a striker who is clearly out of favour under Erik ten Hag at Manchester United, the £61.5m flop might need to resort to offers from further afield if he is to get increased playing time.
For Saudi clubs, particularly Al-Shabab and Al-Taawoun (who were reportedly interested in Martial over the summer) his wage demands – currently £250,000 a week at Man United – aren't much of an obstacle. The only stumbling block to his signature is the forward's pining to stay in Europe.
West Ham, Fenerbahçe and Inter were among other clubs rumoured to have held an interest. But, again, questions persist over his lucrative salary, with alternatives being weighed up ahead of Martial in many cases.
In the final hours of the summer transfer window, Al-Ittihad eyed up a move for Richarlison in the scenario that they would miss out on Mohamed Salah's services.
According to the Daily Mail, the Brazilian's Saudi deal failed to progress further than interest due to 'a lack of time'. Initially seen as an alternative to his Egyptian rival, it will be interesting to see if the striker, whose future is potentially in limbo in N17, will be tipped for a move in January to revive his career.
Should Salah make the switch, however, Richarlison might need to rely on interest from more than just one Saudi club if he is to escape Premier League pressures.
6 Thomas Partey (Arsenal) Linked with: Al-Nassr, Al-Ahli & Al-Khaleej
Since the £105m acquisition of Declan Rice from West Ham's grasp, Thomas Partey's importance at Arsenal has greatly diminished. At the start of the season, he was pushed into an unfamiliar right-back role by Mikel Arteta, and while a groin injury has stunted his involvement since, his place in the squad is clearly under threat.
The Ghanaian pivot's downfall could be his one-dimensional playing style. Partey has shown his flaws when playing in positions other than defensive midfield, but Rice has taken the No 6 role to the next level, making rivals for his starting berth ponder their futures.
Such is the case with most of the names on this list, Partey was heavily linked with a move to the Middle East in the summer. He initially rejected offers after a Saudi trio of Al-Nassr, Al-Ahli, and Al-Khaleej circled him, but he may regret his decision now.
Whilst the Saudi Pro League deliberates its next move, it is difficult to predict which players will be preyed upon in two months' time. However, given Partey's current squad situation, alongside his ability to still be a top-class midfielder, there's no reason why previous admirers should turn a blind eye to the Ghanaian international just six months later.
5 Raphael Varane (Man Utd) Linked with: Al-Nassr
A lot of uncertainties surround Manchester United at the minute. Their form, their manager, and their ownership. So, adding the squad's future to their list of worries only helps to paint a clearer picture of the failings in the northwest.
Raphael Varane is another linked with a move away from Old Trafford after dropping down the pecking order under Ten Hag. In recent weeks, Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans have pipped him to a starting place, while the Frenchman has watched on from the bench.
Hearsays about a possible fallout between the defender and his manager have since been quashed. However, as one of the best of his generation, Varane may well be subject to interest from rival clubs should his playing time demands not be met between now and the new year.
He is tipped for a reunion with Cristiano Ronaldo, with Al-Nassr becoming the main source of transfer speculation around the former Real Madrid man. A TEAMtalk report within the last month revealed that he has already received offers ahead of 2024, which include interest from Champions League clubs, suggesting a route to the Middle East isn't so straightforward.
4 Jadon Sancho (Man Utd) Linked with: Al-Ettifaq
Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho.
Other Man United names linked with an exit from the club come in the form of those in the autumn years of their careers. But with Jadon Sancho, his links to Saudi Arabia offer him a potential deathwish for a career that's hardly got started.
Of course, there is always the possibility he can reignite his lost spark in a new surrounding away from the limelight. But while the Saudi Pro League's reputation and future condition remains unknown, a move there at 23 years old could hinder his chances of ever making a return to Premier League and Champions League football.
But should the young Englishman value salary over playing time, incoming offers from the Middle East in January could prise him away from Manchester. The Telegraph understands that Saudi outfits have revived interest in the winger after his failed switch to Al-Ettifaq is put back into focus amid a relationship breakdown with manager Erik ten Hag.
3 Casemiro (Man Utd) Linked with: Various unnamed clubs
Casemiro was a short-term success for the Red Devils. His £70m move from Real Madrid saw him paper over midfield cracks as he showed signs of being at his very best last season.
But at the start of the current term, the Brazilian has struggled with form. His ability to cover ground in Ten Hag's team has been criticised, while the manager himself also controversially stated he "wanted more football" as a reason for substituting him against Brentford earlier in the season.
As one of the highest earners, Casemiro could be shipped off as early as January to free up the wage bill for newcomers. As per 90min, various Saudi clubs are exploring a deal via intermediaries as the country continues its pledge for commercialisation.
2 Kevin De Bruyne (Man City) Linked with: Al-Nassr
With Kevin De Bruyne achieving everything he can at club level, the 32-year-old could bring his Premier League reign to an end, although it's more likely that he leaves next summer as opposed to January as he looks to nurse his way back into contention at Manchester City ahead of the second half of the season under Pep Guardiola.
Over the last eight years, he has won the Premier League five times and supplied the most league assists throughout the season three times, while finishing on the Ballon d'Or podium last year. Coming off early into last season's treble-confirming Champions League final and the following season opener, the Belgian has struggled with persistent injuries in recent years, which could sway his club into seeing him as an expendable, especially if City can offload him for a price.
An offer from Al-Nassr would see KDB link up with Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane in the Middle East, and although it may come as a surprise, the deal would make sense for both parties, since the Citizens employ a rotational transfer philosophy, and the veteran midfielder has the chance to leave a perfect legacy before his twilight years get the better of him.
1 Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) Linked with: Al-Ittihad
Liverpool forward Mo Salah.
Armed with money no club could resist regardless of grandeur, Al-Ittihad will no doubt be back, all guns blazing, for Mohamed Salah in 2024.
They might have had a £175m bid rejected in the summer, with Liverpool failing to turn up to the negotiating table. However, the Saudi Arabian club feels that, as an Arab himself, Salah won't be able to repel the adulation he would receive in the Middle East.
And with a rumoured £200m world-record fee being lined up in the future, the Reds could be persuaded into letting their Egyptian king leave so that they can reinvest the money elsewhere.
Currently, loyalties between club and player cannot be doubted. But with the resplendent resources on offer at N'Golo Kante, Fabinho and Karim Benzema's club, heads might finally be turned in January or beyond.
Liverpool progressed through to the semi-finals of the League Cup with an emphatic 5-1 win over West Ham United at Anfield on Wednesday night.
It was a clinical display from the Reds as they dispatched the Hammers with relative ease to secure their clash with Fulham in the last four of the competition.
This was a much-needed result and performance after the disappointment that came from their 0-0 draw with Manchester United on Sunday.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
Jurgen Klopp's side had 34 shots and racked up 2.38 xG but failed to come away with all three points as their finishing, and shot selections, left a lot to be desired.
One change that the German boss made for the cup clash was to move Darwin Nunez out to the left flank, instead of through the middle as a centre-forward, and he thrived in that position.
Liverpool could now unleash the Uruguay international on the wing on a permanent basis by securing a deal for a player to lead the line.
Liverpool transfer news – Karim Adeyemi
It was reported during the summer transfer window that the Reds were looking at Borussia Dortmund forward Karim Adeyemi as a possible target to bolster their attack.
The outlet also named Federico Chiesa and Leroy Sane as targets if the club lost Mohamed Salah, who was being pursued by Al Ittihad at the time.
Calcio Mercato claimed that Klopp likes Adeyemi 'a lot' and that is why the Germany international was on the list of players to possibly replace the Egypt international.
Borussia Dortmund striker KarimAdeyemi
However, Liverpool could reignite their interest in the £32m Dortmund attacker and look to revive his career as a centre-forward, rather than viewing him as a winger.
This would then provide Klopp with a number nine to spearhead his attack, which would then allow Nunez to be permanently moved to a wide role.
Nunez's performance against West Ham in numbers
The former Benfica star lined up on the left of the attack, with Cody Gakpo as the number nine, and caught the eye with a fantastic performance.
Nunez created an eye-catching four chances for his teammates and registered one assist as he teed up Curtis Jones for the second goal.
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No player on the pitch produced more key passes than the Liverpool whiz, who also completed one of his two attempted dribbles in 90 minutes.
He was able to use his physicality and pace to be a constant threat to the Hammers defence to create chances for others, rather than being there to get on the end of passes from others, which is where the forward has struggled this season.
Nunez has been far too wasteful in front of goal as a centre-forward in the Premier League and moving him out wide to be a creative outlet could be a fantastic piece of management by Klopp.
Nunez's Premier League record in numbers
The 24-year-old dynamo joined the Reds from Benfica in the summer of 2022 and has failed to prove himself to be a reliable scorer in the top-flight.
During the 2022/23 campaign, the Uruguay international produced nine goals and three assists in 29 league appearances for Liverpool.
cody-gakpo-darwin-nunez-liverpool-opinion
In that time, Nunez missed a staggering 20 'big chances' but was able to create 11 'big chances' for his teammates. This suggests that he did not make the most of the opportunities that came his way and the same could be said for the players he was setting up.
His finishing has not improved since the end of last season as the forward has produced four goals and spurned a whopping 15 'big chances' in just 16 Premier League outings this term.
He has, once again, been a solid creative outlet for the Reds, though, with five assists and six 'big chances' created in his ten league starts.
This means that Nunez has missed 35 'big chances' and created 17 of them for his teammates since the start of the 2022/23 campaign, which suggests that creating for others is a bigger strength of his than finishing off opportunities.
Darwin Nunez 2023/24 statistics.
As you can see in the chart above, the Liverpool ace is an outstanding creator who can cause constant problems for opposition defences.
Therefore, a wide role could be perfect for the chaotic attacker as the team would rely on him to create for his fellow attackers rather than the other way round.
In order to make Nunez a winger on a permanent basis, Liverpool could need to sign a centre-forward in January and this is where Adeyemi comes in.
The statistics that show why Liverpool should sign Adeyemi
The German ace has spent the majority of his career at Dortmund so far playing as a winger and it has not brought the best out of him.
Adeyemi has produced 11 goals and eight assists in 50 appearances for the club since his move from Salzburg in 2022, with two of those outings coming as a number nine.
He has not been a consistent performer as a scorer or a creator of goals whilst playing on the left or the right flank and has not been given a fair opportunity to prove his worth down the middle.
Whereas, the 21-year-old marksman was mainly deployed as a number nine throughout his time in Austria with Salzburg and it allowed him to thrive in the final third.
The £83k-per-week finisher racked up 32 goals and 19 assists in 67 competitive appearances as a striker for the club before his move to Dortmund.
During the 2021/22 campaign, Adeyemi, who was once dubbed a "nightmare" for defenders by talent scout Jacek Kulig, plundered 19 goals and only missed 14 'big chances' in 29 Bundesliga matches for Salzburg.
Appearances
29
Starts
11
Goals
Seven
Big chances missed
Five
Assists
Seven
These statistics suggest that the Germany international has the potential to be a prolific centre-forward for the Reds if they are able to get the best out of him, rather than being wasted out wide at Dortmund, due to his impressive finishing and goal record as a striker.
This would then free up Nunez, who is currently being wasted through the middle when his creativity could be harnessed out wide week-in-week-out, to play on the wing on a permanent basis.
For many Manchester United fans, they no doubt wish that the season could just be over already, with the 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest being the latest underwhelming showing.
Erik ten Hag’s team are now eighth in the Premier League after 20 games, losing nine matches already.
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With that in mind, the boss is desperate to make additions to his squad in January, with injuries preventing squad rotation.
Man Utd transfers latest – Ederson
According to Goal Brasil, the Red Devils are interested in signing Ederson of Atalanta, who has been previously described as “instrumental” by Breaking The Lines.
Talks are yet to begin between the two clubs, but United are contemplating sending a proposal in January.
The Brazilian is estimated to be worth £26m, as per CIES Football Observatory, and the midfielder is reportedly keen on the move.
Ederson’s style of play
Due to what seems to be a never-ending injury list, Ten Hag will look to bring in the 24-year-old engine. The boss has already purchased an Atalanta player this season, and therefore, the potential signing of Ederson could see the Rasmus Hojlund trick repeated.
Hojlund has netted just once in the Premier League this season, yet there have certainly been signs of promise in his embryonic United career, having scored five times during the club's Champions League group stage run.
Rasmus Hojlund
Signing Ederson could then also prove an exciting addition for both the present and future, with the Atalanta midfielder a vital cog in Gian Piero Gasperini’s system this season, playing every Serie A game and starting all but one.
The ex-Salernitana man has also netted four goals this season in Italy, which would make him United’s second-highest top scorer in the Premier League.
The midfielder has a vast skill set, and the table below shows his profile using stats from this season’s Serie A, while comparing them to his positional peers.
Passes into the final third
6.10
Top 11%
Progressive passes
6.99
Top 5%
Touches
64.52
Top 31%
Tackles won
1.78
Top 11%
Dribblers tackled
1.66
Top 4%
Interceptions
1.54
Top 4%
As you can see, Ederson is the definition of a box-to-box midfielder who can impact the game at both ends of the field. He currently plays in the midfield two of a 3-4-2-1 variant, which is an extremely demanding role both in and out of possession.
What instantly stands out regarding the Brazilian is his incredible out-of-possession work rate and statistics. His physicality and athleticism allow him to cover ground well, and when you combine that with his high tackles, dribblers tackled, and interception statistics, he would massively help United’s issue with defending transitions.
Furthermore, he is confident on the ball and is always willing to receive a pass, even under pressure. When in possession, Ederson likes to progress the play and get the ball into the attackers. His progressive passes and passes into the final third showcase that, and with Kobbie Mainoo the only defensive midfielder that can currently do that in the Red Devils squad, Ederson would be a welcomed addition.
Manchester United midfielder Casemiro.
Overall, the signing of Ederson would elevate Man United to a whole new level. With Casemiro potentially out the door, Sofyan Amrabat failing to impress, and Scott McTominay offering nothing but goals, Ten Hag should look to sign the Brazilian this January.
If United’s number 18 does leave this month, it could free up the funds to sign his compatriot, and he would walk into the United starting XI.
Newcastle United are reportedly set to make further efforts this month to complete the signing of an "elite" player, as they look to get a key piece of transfer business over the line.
Newcastle transfer news
The Magpies need new signings in the January transfer window, in order to breathe new life into their season, with Saturday's late 3-2 defeat at home to Manchester City their latest disappointing result. There are lots of players who have been touted as possible targets for Newcastle, with Kalvin Phillips perhaps the individual looking the most likely to seal a loan move to St James' Park, bringing an end to his spell at Manchester City.
VfB Stuttgart striker Serhou Guirassy is someone who the Magpies are believed to be looking at as a strong addition in attack, with the 27-year-old scoring a remarkable 17 goals in only 14 Bundesliga appearances so far this season and has a relatively cheap release clause.
Meanwhile, there is also a chance that Eddie Howe looks to bolster his defensive options in 2024, which is why the likes of Ousmane Diomande and Goncalo Inacio, both of whom are currently at Sporting CP, have been linked with moves to Newcastle.
Ousmane Diomande to Newcastle latest
According to a report from The Mirror, Newcastle arse set to step up their attempts to sign Ousmane Diomande, with owners PIF meaning business despite being "under the microscope" with FFP.
"Newcastle will step up their scouting of Ousmane Diomande this month in a bid to head off expected stiff competition for the Ivory Coast defender. Diomande, 20, has shot to prominence starring this season for Sporting Lisbon, who top the Portuguese Primeira Liga. He has made 21 appearances this term in Portugal playing recently at the centre of a back three for Sporting but can also play on the right."
The report goes on to add that "Newcastle may have to break their transfer record to land the starlet after previously buying Swedish striker Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad for a record £58million rising to £63m, including add-ons", with Diomande "valued at £70m". With Newcastle's finances "under the microscope", however, they are expected to bid lower than that to begin with, "amid the Premier League Financial Fair Play climate."
If the Magpies could strike a deal for Diomande in 2024, it could prove to be one of their most important pieces of business in some time, given the long-term ceiling that he has as a player. The 20-year-old is already a key figure for Sporting, starting 15 Primeira Liga matches this season and completing 91.2% of his passes, and the table below outlines the positive influence he is having:
Ousmane Diomande's Primeira Liga stats this season
Total
Appearances 15 Goals 1 Assists 1 Clearances per game 1.7 Tackles per game 1.5 Pass completion rate 91.2%
The young Frenchman has been hailed as an "elite" player by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, who added that "you rarely see a player with such high ball-playing and pure defender skills", and Newcastle must do all they can to snap him up in January, making him a big signing for years to come.